Tobacco-feeding apparatus for cigarette machines



1,501,622 F.RUAU

TOBACCO FEEDING APPARATUS FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES Jul 15 1924.

Filed Dec. 13 1921 gmve/ntoz Fezzzxm 35137065 61 01500140135 V441,. gwwaww 441.;

Patented July 15, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FELIX RUAU, OF LYNGHIBURG, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED CIGARETTEMACHINE 60., INC, 0F LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

TOBACCO-FEEDING AYPARA'IUS FOR CIGARETTE MACHINES.

Application filed December 18, 1921. erial No. 521,979.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FE'LIX RUAU, a citizen of the Republic of France,and resident of Lynchburg, in the county of Campbell and State ofVirginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inTobacco-Feeding Apparatus for Cigarette Machines, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to a tobacco feeding apparatus and moreparticularly to an apparatus for feeding tobacco from a supply meanssuch as a hopper to cigarette making machines; and has special referenceto the provision of an apparatus of this character in which the quantityor level of the tobacco in the hopper is regulated to effect uniformfeeding conditions.

In cigarette machines of, for exam lo, the continuous rod type, thetobacco filler for the cigarettes is fed from a supply means such as ahopper and is delivered onto the cigarette paper, the paper being movedor fed continuously past a tobacco receiving station and the tobaccobeing delivered to the paper continuously either in a loose or acompacted state. To obtain resulting cigarettes of uniform quality it isnecessary to deliver the continuously fed tobacco to the paper in auniform manner and to this end the feeding of the tobacco from thehopper should be carried on under uniform conditions. In the feeding ofthe tobacco it has been found that a substantial variation in the levelof the tobacco in the hopper results in an uneven feeding of the tobaccofrom the hopper, with the result that the cigarettes produced are ofnon-uniform quality. It has therefore been found desirable to provide anapparatus in which the quantity or level of the tobacco in the hoppermay be regulated and controlled to the end of obtaining uniform feedingof the tobacco; and the provision of such an apparatus functioning in aneflicient manner is a prime desideratum of my present invention.

In an apparatus of the nature referred to, although variation of thelevel of the tobacco in the hopper is one of the primary causes for thenon-uniformity of tobacco feeding, the variation in the feeding willofttimes result from other causes as, for example, from the failure ofthe feeding means to operate with the maximum of efficiency. I havetherefore found it highly desirable to regulate the quantity or level ofabove enumerated, the provision of an apparatus for feeding tobacco inwhich delivcry of the tobacco to the hopper is made independent of thefeeding of the tobacco from the hopper, with the delivery controlled bythe variation in level of tobacco in the hopper; the provision of anapparatus of this nature in which the delivery means comprises anintermittently oiperable conveyer, the operation of which is controlledby means following thetobacco level in the hopper; the further provisionof an apparatus in which the conveyor comprises an elevator deliveringtobacco from a supply bin to the hopper and the provision of a tobaccofeeding apparatus simple in construction, dependable in operation andrequiring a minimum of control and attention by the operator.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, my invention consists in the elements and theirrelation one to the other, as hereinafter particularly described andsought to be defined in the claims, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of my invention,and in which- The figure is a cross sectional elevational view of myapparatus.

In the feeding of the tobacco to the cigarette machine there isprovided, as shown in the drawin s, the usual hopper 10-hold ng a chargeof to acco T, themeans for feeding the tobacco from the hoppercomprising the toothed feed roll 11 rotatable about shaft 12 in thedirection shown by the arrow in the drawings, and cooperating with thisfeed roll there is provided the dressing roll 13 rotatable about theshaft 14 in the direction as shown b the arrow in the figure, thedressing r0 cooperating with the feed roll in the usual manner forproducing a uniform layer of the tobacco over the teeth of the feed roll11. The tobacco fed by the roll 11 is stripped therefrom in the usualmanner and delivered to a conveyer or belt 15 trained over a roller 16,the conveyer feeding the tobacco from the hopper to the cigarettemachine (not shown). Forming the bottom. of the hopper 10 I provide theusual movable belt 17 trained over rollers 18 and 19, the upper bight orreach of the belt traveling in the direction as indicated in the figure,

. this belt functioning, as usual, to carry the tobacco in the hopper tothe feed roll 11.

As hereinbefore referred to, a prime desideratum of my present inventioncomprehends the provision of an apparatus in which the quantity or levelof the tobacco in the hopper 10 is maintained substantially uniform andin which the uniformity is maintained independent of the operatingconditions of the feeding means. To this end my present inventioncontemplates an apparatus in which the quantity of the tobacco iscontrolled directly by the levelof the tobacco and is thus madeindependent of the feeding conditions of the feeding means. Toaccomplish this I preferably provide means for delivering the tobacco tothe hopper 10; and the feeding of the tobacco by the said means isregulated and controlled by the level of'the tobacco in the hopper.Accordingly, I preferably provide a delivery conveyer 20 whichpreferably talres the form of an endless belt and in the present form ofmy invention the said end less conveyer comprises preferably an elevatorprovided with a plurality of spaced flights or rake elements 21 forcarrying successive charges of tobacco for delivery to the hopper 10,the conveyer 20 being movable over a plurality of rollers or drums 22 to25 inclusive and guided in itsmovement by the inclined and horizontalguide walls 26 and 27 respectively. In operation the endless conveyor 20functions to deliver charges of tobacco from a supply bin-28 to thehopper 10, the supply bin 28 being preferably mounted at a low levelconveniently chargeable by an operator.

For the purpose of regulating the delivery of the tobacco made by theconveyer 20, the said conveyer is preferably intermittently operatedwith the intermittent operation determined or controlled by the quantityof the tobacco in the hopper. To this end I v provide means foroperating the conveyer,

the said means comprising preferably a drive phain 29 trained over theopposed sprockets 30 and 31, the sprocket30 being mounted on the shaftof the drum 25 and the sprocket 31 being connected to driving means (notshown). To drive the conveyer 20 intermittently as desired, the sprocket31 is preferably connected and disconnected to neoaeaa the driving meansand to this end I preferably provided a clutch 32 for efiecting thealternate connection and disconnection between these parts, the saidclutch 32 being provided with a clutch lever 33.

The operation of the clutch and clutch lever is directly controlled bythe quantity of the tobacco in the hopper and tothis end is providedmeans for following the level of the tobacco in the hopper, the saidmeans controlling the operation. of the clutch lever 33. For thispurpose there is provided a lever 34 fulcrumed preferably in the wallsof the hopper 10, one arm of the said lever being connected pivotally toa link 35, the other arm 36 of the said lever being preferably curvedand being provided with a head 37, the said arm 36 and head 37functioning as a feeler and operative for following the variation inlevel of the tobacco T in the hopper. The rod 35 is provided withpreferably adjustable spaced collars 38 and 39 each of which is adaptedto engage and move the clutch lever 33 when the rod 35 is alternatelyreciprocated in opposite directions. The lever 34 is oscillated inopposite directions, as indicated by the arrows in the figure, for.effecting reciprocation of the rod 35 and to this end. there is provideda cam element 40 fixed to the'shaft 41 and rotatable therewith, rotationof the said shaft 41 being effected by means of a chain 42 trained overopposed wheels 43 and 44 mounted on the shafts 14 and 41 respectively.Cooperating with the cam element 40 and actuated thereby I provide thecam follower 45 which may take the form of a roller journalled in thearm 36 of the lever 34. With the provision of this means it will beapparent that in the operation of the feeding means the cam 40 iscontinuously rotated, the rotation of the cam efi'ecting an oscillationof the feeler lever 34 and the reciprocation of the rod 35 connectedtherewith.

The feeler arm 36 in its oscillation moves in and out of contact withthe tobacco in the hopper and follows the variation in the level 'of thetobacco T in the hopper. The parts of the apparatus are so relativelyarranged that when the feeler head 37 falls below a predetermined normallevel of the tobacco the collar 39 will engage with and move the clutchlever 33 to efiect the locking of the clutch 32 and the driving of theconveyer 20 to deliver a charge of the tobacco from the supply bin 28 tothe hopper 101. This is shown in the drawings and referring to thefigure, it will be seen that the feeler head37 in its descent has fallenbelow the normal level of the tobacco which may be indicated by thedotted line 46, the collar 39 being shown engaged with the clutch lever33 and the conveyer 20 being shown in activity for delivering a chargeof the tobacco into the hopper 10. Still referring to the drawings, itwill be seen that the cam element 40 is about to engage the cam follower45 and in the further rotation of the shaft 41 the cam follower 4:5 israised, causing the downward motion of the rod 35 with the result thatthe collar 38 on the said rod engages with the clutch lever 33 and movesthe same to unlock the clutch 32, thus stopping the operation of theconveyer 20. When the cam element 40 passes the cam follower 45 thefeeler arm 36 will drop; and if the level of the tobacco is still belowthe normal level 46 the clutch 32 will again be locked to effect thedelivery movement of the conveyer 20. If, however, the level of thetobacco reaches the normal level as indicated by the dotted line 46, ormoves slightly above the said level, the feeler arm and head 36'and 37will be prevented from dropping to this low position and this willprevent the engagement between the collar 39 and clutch lever 33 andsince the clutch lever 33 has been moved to unlocking position by thecollar 38, the clutch 32 will remain unlocked and the conveyer 20 willbe maintained stationary. This condition of affairs will persist in thecontinued operation of the ap paratus until the level of the tobacco Tin the hopper falls below the normal or predetermined level and theconveyer 20 will again be set into operation to deliver another chargeto the tobacco hopper. In this manner and by this means the tobaccodelivered to the hopper is made independent of the feeding conditions ofthe feeding means and is controlled directly by the level or quantity ofthe tobacco in the hopper itself.

The operation of my apparatus will, in the main, be apparent from theabove de tailed description thereof. It will be further apparent that Ihave provided an apparatus in which delivery of the tobacco to thehopper is made substantially automatic and in which the feeding" of thetobacco from the hopper is controlled to provide a uniformity highlydesired in the art for producing a uniform quality of cigarettes. Itwill be further apparent that by providing an intermittently operableelevator which delivers tobacco charges from a supply bin to the hopper,that I have provided a construction in which it is possible to reducethe working force required for filling the hoppers, the filling of thebin 28 being carried on with ease and the tobacco level in this bin inbeing of no importance, permits less attention and control on the partof the operator than has been hitherto possible in other devices. Itwill be further apparent that I have provided an apparatus simple inconstruction and operation and requiring a minimum of attention andcontrol by the operator. 7

While I have shown my device in the preferred form, it will be obviousthat many changes and modifications may be made in the structuredisclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined inthe following claims.

I claim:

1. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hop per to acigarette machine, means for delivering tobacco to the said hopper, andmechanism controlled by the quantity of tobacco in the said hopper formaintaing the quantity of tobacco therein substantially uniform.

2. A tobacco feeding apparatus for cigarette machines comprising atobacco hopper, means including a feed roll for feeding tobacco fromsaid hopper to-a cigarette machine, mechanism for delivering tobacco tothe said hopper, the said means being continuously operable and the saidmechanism intermittently operable.

3. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hopper to acigarette machine, means for delivering tobacco to said hopper andmechanism for controlling the deliveryof the tobacco made by the saiddelivery means, the said mechanism being controlled by the quantity ofthe tobacco in the said hopper.

4. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hopper to aeigarette machine, means for delivering tobacco to said hopper andmechanism for controlling the delivery of the tobacco made by the saiddelivery means to main? tain the quantity of tobacco in the hoppersubstantially uniform.

5. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hopper to acigarette machine, means for delivering tobacco to the said hopper andmechanism following the variation of and controlled by the tobacco levelin the said hopper for maintaining the said tobacco level substantiallyuniform.

6. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hopper to acigarette machine, instrumentalities for delivering the tobacco to thesaid hopper, the said instrumentalities being intermittently operableand means for oper ating the said instrumentalities when the tobacco inthe said hopper falls below a predetermined level.

7. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hopper to acigarette machine, instrumentalities for delivering the tobacco to thesaid hopper, the said instrumentalities being intermittently operableand means for operating the said instrumentalities when the tobacco inthe said hopper falls below a predetermined level, the said lastmentioned means being operative on and controlled by the level orsurface of the tobacco in the hopper.

8. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hopper to acigarette machine, instrumentalities for delivering the tobacco to saidhopper, means for operating the feeding means, means for operating thesaid instrumentalities and mechanism for varying the operation of thesaid instrlmientalities relative to the operation of said feeding meansto maintain the quantity of the tobacco in the hopper substantiallyconstant.

9. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobaccb from said hopiper to acigarette machine, instrumentalities for delivering tobacco to the saidhopper, mechanism for operating the said instrumentalities, meansalternately movable into and out of contact with the tobacco in thehopper and following the variation of level of the tobacco in the hopperfor controlling the operation of the said mechanism whereby the quantityof tobacco in the hopper is maintained substantially uniform.

10. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hopper to acigarette. machine, a tobacco supply means, instrumentalities fordelivering tobacco from the said supply means to the said hopper, thesaid instrumentalities comprising an intermittently operable conveyer.

.11. A tobacco feeding apparatus com-,- prising a tobacco hopper, meansincludin a feed roll for feeding tobacco from sai hopper to a cigarettemachine, a tobacco supply means, instrumentalities for deliveoaeaa eringtobacco from the said supply means to the said hopper, the saidinstrumentalities comprising an intermittently operable elevator.

12, A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincludin a feed roll for feeding tobacco from sai hopper to a cigarettemachine, a tobacco suppl means, instrumentalities for delivering to accofrom the said supply means to the said hopper, the saidinstrumentalities comprising an intermittently operable (3011!- veyer,and means operative upon and controlled by the level of the tobacco inthe hopper for intermittently operating the said instrumentalities.

13. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hopper to acigarette machine, intermittently operable instrumentalities fordelivering tobacco to the said hopper, drivin means for the saidinstrumentalities inelu ing a clutch mechanism and means for effectingengagement and disengagement of the clutch mechanism, operation of thesaid last mentioned means bein controlled by the uantity of tobacco 1n'the be per 75 where y the feed of the tobacco in the hopper may becontrolled to maintain the quantity of tobacco thereinconstant.

14.. A tobacco feeding apparatus comprising a tobacco hopper, meansincluding a 80 feed roll for feeding tobacco from said hopper to acigarette machine, a tobacco supply means, instrumentalities fordelivering tobacco from the said supply means to the said hopper, thesaid instrumentalities comprising an intermittently operable conveyer,and means for controlling the operation of the said conveyer to maintainthe quantity of tobacco in the hopper constant.

Signed at ynehbur in the county of 90 Campbell and State o1: Virginia,this 10th day of December, A. D. 1921.

FELIX RUAU,

